According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), SB 890 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the state government. The bill primarily modifies the eligibility criteria for active and retired judicial officers to obtain a License to Carry a Handgun (LTC) but does not introduce new programs, mandates, or substantial administrative costs. Any minor costs associated with updating licensing procedures or administrative adjustments by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) are expected to be absorbed within existing resources.

Similarly, no significant fiscal impact is anticipated for local governments. The bill does not impose any new requirements on counties, municipalities, or local law enforcement agencies, meaning that existing frameworks for issuing and managing LTCs will remain largely unchanged. Agencies such as the Department of Information Resources (DIR) and DPS have reviewed the legislation and confirmed that its financial impact is negligible.

SB 890 expands the eligibility for an expedited License to Carry a Handgun (LTC) process to include probate judges and retired probate judges. Under current Texas law, probate judges are not explicitly listed among the judicial officers who qualify for this process. This bill corrects that omission by amending Section 411.201 of the Texas Government Code to ensure that probate judges receive the same treatment as other judicial officers when applying for an LTC​.

From a liberty-focused perspective, this legislation enhances individual liberty by ensuring that all judicial officers, including probate judges, can exercise their Second Amendment rights without unnecessary bureaucratic delays. Judges often face unique security risks due to their role in adjudicating sensitive legal matters, including cases that may involve violent criminals or emotionally charged probate disputes. By granting probate judges the same concealed carry privileges as other judges, the bill promotes personal responsibility and self-defense.

Moreover, SB 890 aligns with principles of limited government by eliminating inconsistencies in the current statute. It does not introduce any new regulatory burdens or mandates; instead, it simply expands an existing provision to ensure equal treatment of all judicial officers under the law.

Overall, SB 890 is a straightforward, common-sense reform that enhances judicial security, upholds individual rights, and aligns with constitutional principles. Given its strong alignment with the principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government, Texas Policy Research recommends a YES vote on SB 890.

• HB 3789 (Same As)